Jill was truly incredible throughout my entire journey as my doula-- from pregnancy to labor and…read moreeven into postpartum. She brought such a deep sense of peace, confidence, and calm during a time that can feel so overwhelming. Her steady presence, encouragement, and knowledge made me feel safe, supported, and empowered every step of the way. I genuinely cannot imagine my experience without her by our side. If you're looking for a doula who will advocate for you, nurture you, and bring such grounding energy into your birth space, Jill is the one. And as a huge bonus for military families, she accepts Tricare, which makes her support even more accessible. I'm forever grateful for her.

Amazing doula services and classes. Excellent communication and responsiveness. Allowed me to have…read morea successful vbac:)

Got Covid and flu shots for my kids amid all this uncertainty with insurance changes given…read moreanti-vaxer fed health chair and changed vaccine recommendations for kids. Easy to make appointment, free parking, nice people.

My first encounter with this organization was simply for networking purposes as I was tasked with…read morewriting about the nonprofit sector as a reporter. I met with their Executive Director, Lisa, and was immediately drawn to their efforts. Where most nonprofits struggle, they were thriving. They are a small but mighty team, proving to be effective, efficient, and so clearly genuine in everything they do for the community. It wasn't long before I learned I was expecting my first child, and I found myself on the receiving end of their mission. My first impression couldn't have been more on point, and they proved to be a pillar of vital support for all things motherhood. Being military, I had to continue growing my family back on the East Coast, where I'm nowhere near a local chapter like this. Starting my motherhood journey in Hawaii with a resource like this, and then moving away from it, has only made me appreciate this organization more. I wish I would've gotten more involved while I was there. I still find myself turning to their resources for reference halfway across the country! I whole-heartedly believe that HMHB is one of the most impactful organizations you can get involved with because the strength of any community rests on the strength of its families. Thank you, HMHB crew, for bringing back the village! For reminding new mothers that we should never do this alone; for ensuring our keiki have the best start to life; and for being a strong, collective voice by advocating for families all the way from Honolulu to Capitol Hill.

Laine is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet! She makes you feel like you've known her…read moreforever, even though you just met her! My daughters have taken cupcake decorating classes from her. They are ages 9 and 12. Laine does a wonderful job making sure everyone in the class is able to keep up and make beautiful cupcakes! She explains each step simply, and she is very patient! Laine also made my daughter a beautiful 6 inch cake with a Totoro cake topper! It was perfection! Laine is very professional, talented and easy to communicate with! I would highly recommend her classes and beautiful cakes!!!!

Play Date Cupcakes is so much more…read more... * inspiring / encouraging classes for all ages * cupcakes, cakes, DONUTS, and much more! + Affordable + Excellent Communication + Positive + Friendly + Clean + Smooth Payment Process Excellent team and experience from start to finish! I'd highly recommend for: parties, house warming, celebration, business team building, etc... Two thumbs UP and FIVE STARS

In general, I would not recommend this class to expecting parents who are not already affiliated…read morewith the church group that puts it on. The instructors seem very nice and likeable, and I don't mean to attack them personally, but the class is a major time commitment, and I feel compelled to share some of my concerns. First, the positives. The instructors are charismatic, and the pastor who leads it has a wonderful speaking voice. I honestly think she'd be fun to hang out with. The class includes useful instruction regarding techniques for labor, massage, writing a birth plan, etc. A lot of the stuff you're there for is somewhere in the class, so if you are willing to sit through it, you may get a lot of the information you came for in terms of feeling more prepared for your actual birth. Next, my concerns. (1) This class has a moderate to strong ideological tone and slant, especially re vaccines. You might be thinking, "well what did you expect from a free class from a group called Birth Believers?" It was honestly a bit more concerning than I had expected. A recurring theme of the class is: "your doctor is going to tell you X, but you shouldn't trust them, and in fact, you should probably do Y or even Z." The instructors will present this as them just providing you with information, but the presentation is not value neutral. You are meant to come away feeling suspicious of doctors and hospitals and favoring "natural" methods. For instance, they'll show you a 25-30 year old graphic video of how babies are traumatized during hospital births and contrast it with a video of an uncomplicated natural birth. Our experience with this was that it just contributed to our stress. One could say that this class presents a lot of their information using scare tactics and negativity. The most alarming example of this was their section on whether pregnant mothers should receive the COVID vaccine. This came up twice - in the first and fourth sessions. In the first session, the message was essentially, "there's no way to really know whether it's safe." I thought this was beyond the instructor's expertise, but I didn't really have a problem with the way she presented it. But in the fourth session, the pastor brought up the CDC's most recent guidance (that pregnant women should get the COVID vaccine) and although she faithfully conveyed the CDC's recommendation, she immediately undermined it by (in my opinion) grossly misrepresenting the study that underpinned the guidance. Audience members were reacting with outrage toward the CDC based on her representation of the data. This was infuriating and, frankly, irresponsible. It's one thing to say "we don't know," but this time, she may have been presenting data incorrectly and strongly implying that we should draw certain conclusions about the impact of the vaccine on rates of miscarriage and other events. The conclusions she was pointing to were, in my opinion, not at all supported by the data. I say irresponsible because a pastor has positioned themselves in a role of power and trust relative to students and congregants, and I suspect there are people who may not get vaccinated now because their view on vaccines is downstream of their decision to trust this pastor who has no expertise in that area. My broader point is that the instructors have an ideological agenda that goes beyond birthing and it gets in the way of what the class is supposed to be about. (2) This class is very long and does not use time efficiently. There are lots and lots of product recommendations and anecdotes in each session, and I am convinced that each session could have been 1/3 as long if it were tightened up. One of the teachers, who is very nice, told the birth story for each of her six kids. They were all very different, they were all interesting, but they were not useful to tired, working pregnant people on a Monday night at 8:30pm. Conclusion: If you're a secular person planning for a hospital birth, this class is probably not for you. This is a religious organization with an agenda beyond the nuts and bolts of birthing, and your time may be better spent with a paid class put on by the hospital where you're planning to give birth or some other organization in line with your values. If you're a religious person familiar with the ideology of this church, you may feel very comfortable in this space and this class. I would encourage you to consider alternative viewpoints regarding matters that seem beyond the instructors' expertise.

Birth Believers is a group that provides Childbirth Education, Doula Services, and Placenta…read moreEncapsulation. I don't know if you follow me / are friends with me on Yelp, or if you are just happening to see this review through looking up Birth Believers...either way, I want to make this clear: Never, in all of my years yelping, being Yelp Elite, and writing reviews, have I ever felt THIS strongly about a review, and about a recommendation. I 100% recommend this doula service. Every single fiber of my being is me telling you: Hire a doula from Birth Believers. Let's start off with some backstory: When I first became pregnant, one of my friends told that me that her biggest regret was NOT having a doula. I honestly thought she was crazy, or just had an unsupportive partner. "Well," I thought to myself, "MY husband is wonderful, and he will help me. We don't need to pay extra money on top of all these other new kid expenses!" I was just silly. Sigh. As I researched and learned more and more about the birth I wanted to have (medication free, natural, hypnobirthing) I kept seeing a theme--many women in my mom groups had traumatic birth experiences because of the medical professionals and interventions that they were forced to have. So many women in my groups were sharing horror stories, sharing success stories, and giving advice, and a resounding suggestion was--HIRE A DOULA. As I got closer and closer to my due date, I started really wanting a doula. Enter Yelp. Yelp offered us tickets to the Baby Expo, and my husband and I jumped at the chance to go! We wanted to get ideas, get more information, and just be more prepared. As we were walking the stalls of vendors and services, a friendly lady with a black Birth Believers shirt stopped me and asked if I wanted a foot massage. I sat and was quickly introduced to Melani. To make a long story short, we chatted, she massaged, and we really connected. We discussed birth, and what my plans for birth were. She encouraged me to enter the drawing for a free doula, which would be her (Melani), as well as enter the drawing for placenta encapsulation, to be done by Mari. After meeting Melani of Birth Believers, having great discussions, and thinking deeply about what we wanted for the birth of our firstborn, my husband and I decided to start saving up and budgeting to hire her. It is a professional service, so there is a cost to it--but the cost is definitely worthwhile. (We had originally wanted to get a doula and placenta encapsulation, but decided that we couldn't budget for both.) However, the same day that we made our decision, that night I received a text from Melani, informing me that I'd won the Baby Expo doula drawing, and that I'd be receiving doula services from Melani for free! She jumped right in to help me--she also invited me to church, and to meet after. We discussed expectations for the birth, and ways that I could make things smoother for myself (good stretches, nutrition, etc.) Throughout the weeks leading up to my birth, we met multiple times, she came by my house, went walking with me, and was always accessible. If I had a question about doctor's visits, nutrition, or pregnancy pains, she was always a text away. Melani was EXTREMELY accessible, and it made me feel so comforted to have someone I could ask questions to whenever I needed. She helped to review my birth plan, and made sure I knew what to expect in so many different ways. She was always there to give me advice, help, and to calm my fears. During labor, she helped beyond belief. She applied pressure through my contractions (which feels amazing, and is worth hiring her just for that!), talked me through labor, and encouraged me. I was a little worried that having her there would make my husband feel uninvolved, but he 100% was part of the birth process--and he LOVED HER! He agrees that she is worth her weight in gold-he has been telling all of his friends and family how she helped him to feel more comfortable, to know what to do to help me (she taught him hip squeezes and other techniques), and how having her there really made him feel more confident through the birth process, as a first time father. Melani really helped me before birth, through birth, and after. If you are considering doula services through Birth Believers, I STRONGLY recommend that you choose to do it. We also did the Placenta Encapsulation--I will try to update this review later to reflect what I've experienced with my placenta pills, but so far, I'm impressed! I really wish that I'd known these lovely ladies sooner, so I could have attended their free childbirth education classes. I'll definitely go next time we are expecting! If Melani is any indicator, I bet I'd get more out of these classes than the two sets I paid for through Kaiser. In summary, get a doula. Just get a freaking doula! Birth Believers is just awesome!!! I can't recommend them enough!

I have nothing but good things to say about Hawaii Mothers' Milk! They are a donation based…read morelactation service located at Kapiolani hospital. At first I was hesitant to see a lactation consultant and didn't think I would really need it as my baby latched on well when I first was at the hospital. When I returned home, things were different and I found out I wasn't producing as much milk (which can happen in the beginning). As a new mom and wanting to breastfeed my child, it was a bit stressful. Initially I contacted Mahinaona Pediatrics but they did not accept my insurance so I reached out to Hawaii Mothers' Milk and so glad I did! The staff were so welcoming and friendly. They made me and my husband feel at ease and answered any questions we had. The 2 lactation consultants I had were amazing and provided such valuable information and resources on breastfeeding/pumping and how to help increase my milk supply. Don't worry about writing anything down because they will email you all the information they talked about! What's also great is they have a very sensitive scale to weigh your baby before you breastfeed and after you breastfeed so you can see how much milk your baby is getting. Hawaii Mothers' Milk also has a lot of great breastfeeding and pumping supplies. I highly recommend Hawaii Mothers' Milk!

I originally went just to pick up pumping supplies and figured I'd check out the weekly…read morebreastfeeding support group while I was there. So glad I did! It was nice to connect with the other moms and also great to chat with the staff, they are so caring and supportive! My baby had been refusing to bottle feed for weeks and it hadn't occurred to me to ask for help. I mentioned our challenges to Victoria, the lactation consultant, and she encouraged us to schedule an appointment. We ended up returning and getting advice and support on feeding, reading baby's cues, tips on pumping, and how to take better care of baby and ourselves as parents. I wish I had visited sooner to take part in the support group and to get help with nursing and bottle feeding! Hawai'i Mother's Milk is a nonprofit and their services are free. Please if you can donate so they can continue to provide this invaluable support to the community.

For unparalleled 24/7 care, beautiful and spacious suites, a positive and nurturing birth…read moreexperience, forget all the other hospitals and register here!! I wish i had better words to describe what an amazing experience it was to have my baby at [Adventist Health] Castle's Vera Zilber Birth Center. First off, though not the most important factor, the facility is *stunning*. With the ko'olau mountains as the backdrop, lush greenery all around, a bed for your labor coach, lots of free parking for friends and family, a jacuzzi tub to labor in, delicious food- what more could you ask for? Oh, right... amazing staff and care. Well, guess what? You get that ten-fold here. At 4am on a rainy day in October 2018 at 39 weeks pregnant, my water broke and hubby and I rushed to the hospital. We'd packed our bags ahead of time and we were already registered there so very little paperwork was needed. They checked us in and ushered us to the triage room where they confirmed that my water broke and measured how dilated I was. They informed my doctor immediately and took us to our huge suite where we could get settled and comfortable. I knew the baby's head was turned a bit weird because i was laboring in my back more and so it took 9 hours of labor and *3 hours* of pushing to get my 8lb baby out! They offered me different laboring options with a bar to get baby to come down more and the wonderful jacuzzi tub to sit in with jets. I requested to do a natural, unmedicated birth and was supported the whole way through. Dr. Chapman is one of *the top* OBGYNs in the country and I was privileged enough to have her be the one to deliver my baby (and sew me up - ouch!). She really is one of the most knowledgeable and respected doctors out there. The staff is absolutely incredible. Hands down the BEST. They took the time to get to know me and offered tailored care for me, my baby and my husband. They were so attentive and respectful. Every time there was a shift change, the nurses updated the chart but READ mine beforehand and obviously spoke to the other nurses to learn my situation and what i needed. I was always greeted with a smile. The day charge nurse would introduce me to the night nurse and they always made sure that i knew who they were, what they were doing, what me and my baby needed, they helped me with my lactation issues, arranged for a lactation consultant to further assist me, made sure my husband and i were comfortable, etc. To put it simply, I wasn't a room number. I was their patient. They really cared for us and gave us the one-on-one attention that we needed. They encouraged baby-friendly tactics to enrich our bond as a family, as new parents. They gave and taught us tools that were invaluable for when we brought our baby home. I can't express enough how wonderful everyone was. We were so blessed to have our baby here and be cared for by each and every staff member. A very special thank you to the following staff members and nurses who just really shined (whose names I can remember): Melody, Candace, Ashley, Grace, Malia, Carolyn, Tamy, Leah and Regina. For a caring and VIP birth experience, choose Vera Zilber. ***Note: Each suite has a jacuzzi tub, bed for your labor coach and a fridge for your snacks and drinks. If you like, you can bring your own pillows for extra comfort. They do not provide meals for your labor coach/significant other but there is an amazing cafeteria in the hospital called the bistro. Honestly, hubby and I just shared the food they gave me because it was so much anyway and we had our snacks and a baby to keep us busy .

Nurse Marilyn, You…read morewere the best nurse for my birthing experience & couldn't have done it without you! I truly felt safe in your care and believed I could get through it because of you! I have given birth at Castle twice and both times were the best experiences. From the moment you enter til the moment you leave everything feels stress free and you're treated with the best hospitality in a hospital IMO. I love that you don't have to park far in the parking structure and your car is like 30 feet from the front door. The rooms are the biggest of all the birthing centers on Oahu (and the most comfortable). I have given birth at Queens with my first born and after being spoiled at Castle I will never give birth anywhere else but at Castle. I just can't stress how amazing nurse Marilyn was though and how I felt like she was my family member getting me through birth! I hope she sees this & I can't thank her enough for being the epitome of what a nurse should be to a patient.

MJ is awesome!!! Our family wasn't too sure about swim lessons but after a week with MJ we are so…read moremuch more confident about our little dashing into the ocean or pool!!! She was patient and kind with our daughter and was able to communicate with her effectively, she earned her trust and boosted her confidence in the water!! Her "get safe" techniques are on point, we appreciate you MJ!!!

Our son (2) had a wonderful experience with coach MJ! Prior to his sessions he was not comfortable…read moregoing under water; he would become disoriented and very frustrated when he would sometimes take in water. After working with MJ, he still needs some convincing to get in the water but he is SO much more comfortable and confident swimming. He can use his skills to get safe (turn and find the wall) and can monkey walk for long distances. He can now hold his breath and is getting the hang of kicking and diving for rings. We really can't say enough nice things about MJ. He demeanor is patient and calm and she kept a consistent pace. She met our son's needs and adjusted course when he was struggling with a skill. We love her encouragement and how she also taught my husband and I to reinforce the skills in her sessions. Thanks coach MJ! Charlie still talks about you every day!

Going on eleven years at CLLC and our child continues to enjoy studying Mandarin here. She started…read moreoff at age two and has continued her Manadarin studies after her regular school three to four day a week. Regular classses are held M- F with Saturday mornings available for extra help. Students who are unable to fit into the scheduled class times are able to do arrange private online class times. The shool offers a summer and winter day camp program and one on one tutoring for adults. Our daughter says learning is fun here and has never asked to quit. Our daughter does do sports and has worked with CCLC to help manage her studies so she does not fall behind. A second language has opened many doors for our daughter and we are sure this will continue as she enters high school and college.

My daughter had an opportunity to volunteer at the school. When I dropped her off, I got to see how…read moreenthusiastic the kids are to communicate in Chinese. The school is in a single house with covered outdoor space and is right around the corner from a peaceful community park with a big playground among tree shades. Gentle breeze of the valley, sunny days, and caring teachers make this school very special.